Heels of Steel tracks the trials and tribulations of one of “the most networked women in the UK” and how she left London’s east end, aged 15 to find her fortune in London’s financial district. Despite her doubters and purely through hard work, grit and determination she manages to not only work her way up to what is commonly known as C-suite, but to build two successful businesses alongside her highly pressured corporate career.
Having achieved everything she thought she’d ever wanted, Vanessa quickly learnt that success often comes at a great deal of personal cost and compromise. The constant battling and accomplishment for the ultimate grand prize eventually took its toll and drastically altered her definition of ‘success’, encouraging a life-changing move in a new direction.
From periods of glittering success to near total derailment due to an unrelenting passion for her career, Heels of Steel unveils the truth behind a woman’s climb to success in the male dominated world of the City. You are invited to follow her journey as she scales (and slips up and down) the corporate ladder, digging her heels in as to avoid being absorbed by the politics and alpha male behaviour still prevalent in so many corporate environments.
A mid-career realisation about Vanessa’s deep-rooted need to unveil and be proud of her femininity, helped her to discover things she never knew, and introduced much-needed support that had been glaringly missing throughout her career.
The book provides an honest and transparent insight into the world of corporate women and addresses the challenges facing every woman throughout their career journey and tackles our never-ending search for balance.
Heels of Steel is packed to the brim with tips, advice and practical steps based on real life experiences, this autobiographical story is also a practical guide that will fast become a must-read for women seeking to not only survive the corporate jungle, but stand some chance of thriving in it!